What is Worcester Now | Next?

Planning Process

Worcester Now | Next was a two-year long citywide planning process that engaged the Worcester community on important issues relating to land use, housing, economic opportunity, natural and cultural resources, open space and recreation, services and facilities and transportation and mobility, among others.

The project generated Worcester's first Citywide Long-range Plan (sometimes called a Comprehensive or Master Plan) in nearly 37 years. The Worcester Now | Next Plan knits together past, present and future initiatives covering the entire city, from downtown to its dozens of neighborhoods. The Plan provides a coordinated roadmap for the future development and evolution of the City, and establishes a framework for more detailed studies to come, but is not a granular study of every issue.

The Worcester Planning Board voted to adopt the Worcester Now | Next Citywide Long-Range Plan at their meeting on March 20, 2024.

Plan Headlines

Three plan headlines emerged from the extensive engagement and analysis conducted through this planning process. These headlines represent the core of what this plan is about, and what it positions the City to act on in the next few years.

• A values-centered framework for growth that benefits all Worcester community members.
• Equitable and sustained public investment in Worcester's neighborhoods.
• A more connected and accessible city for all.

Final Plan Documents

• Final Worcester Now | Next Plan
• Final Plan Executive Summary - English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Portuguese | Albanian | Arabic | Twi | Swahili

Worcester Now | Next Comparison Map

Compare the existing Zoning Overlay Maps to the Now | Next Citywide Long-range Plan Growth Framework maps to see Worcester Now versus the vision for Worcester Next.

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Existing Zoning Overlay Map:
The Commercial Corridors and Adaptive Reuse Overlay districts can be found extending out from the urban core to provide relaxed zoning regulations and to promote adaptive reuse and pedestrian oriented mixed use/redevelopment, with compatible land uses at urban densities, respectively.

Growth Framework Map:
The Growth Framework is the vision for development established in the City Long-Range Plan Worcester | Now Next and includes four categories or types of growth that will collectively help to establish a more transit-oriented and walkable development pattern that can support a high quality of life while accommodating significant growth.

Worcester Now | Next Citywide Long-Range Plan Implementation

For the next 3 - 5 years, the following six top priority early action items should be the primary focus of the City of Worcester's Executive Office of Economic Development, Department of Transportation & Mobility, and Department of Public Works.

Since the Plan's adoption on March 20, 2024, many of the top-priority early action goals have been met or are underway:

1. Complete & Implement the Mobility Action Plan (MAP)
   • The Mobility Action Plan Final Report was published in June 2024.
2. Implement Pre-Overhaul Zoning Changes
   • Legalize ADUs By-Right Citywide
     • On January 9, 2024, City Council ordained a zoning ordinance amendment to allow ADUs by-right citywide. You can find the ordinance text and a quick guide (FAQ) to the newly adopted regulations on our Accessory Dwelling Units Page.
   • Reduce Off-Street Parking Requirements Where Appropriate
   • Reform Tree Protection Requirements
3. Develop a Housing Production Plan
   • A Housing Production Plan is underway and nearing completion. You can find more information on the plan on our Housing Production Plan Page.
4. Advocate for Departmental Implementation Capacity
5. Conduct Infrastructure Capacity & Need Assessments
6. Initiate a Comprehensive Citywide Zoning Overhaul

Once these six top actions have been completed, the Now | Next plan should be revisited, and the remaining recommendations should be prioritized for implementation. In the meantime, other departments and community partners should use the plan framework, headlines, and topic-specific policy guides as a resource to ensure alignment with Now | Next for parallel and coordinated implementation efforts.